No new Mac Mini for me, after all... It's a Frankenstein!!

[FMiguelez]

Hello.

It was on my plans to upgrade my production computer (G5) to a new MM, but it turns out I won't be able to do it at the moment...

It's too bad! I really really wanted and needed it, but after considering all the trouble, patches and expenses it would entail, I decided to wait. This Mac Mini started looking too much like a Frankenstein, with tons of patches and forcing things

I would've needed to buy:
- An audio/MIDI interface, at least something like MOTU's Track 16
- Extra external disk an external USB3 case
- 16 GB RAM
- Update all my software, making it compatible with 64 bit (update Waves' WUP, pay for some updates, etc).

At this point I was still willing to do it, but what REALLY annoyed the hell out of me was that I would ALSO need to replace BOTH my 23" monitors. Why? Because they are the very old ones with ADC outputs.
I remember I spent a lot on ADC to DVI converters (the white boxes), but there is no way I can make them work with the MM, no matter what I try.
I have these Newer Tech video converters. I tried plugging the DVI output of this converter to the HDMI converter, but apparently they are too many converters, because it didn't work in my current MM.
I also tried converting to VGA first, but they just don't power on!!!

The point of upgrading the computer was to improve, so unless I also spend on two "more modern" 23" monitors, none of this makes sense.
I have a batch of upcoming projects, so I guess this will have to wait, and save up for all this upcoming expense... Unless the new 2013 Mac Pros make it out by then!

I am sort of dreading another project on the G5, but the trouble and expense of getting a MM to work are a no go for now

[mikehalloran]

The point of upgrading the computer was to improve, so unless I also spend on two "more modern" 23" monitors, none of this makes sense.

Yes but that can be done for less than $300. The reduction in your electrical bill over your G5/twin Apple monitor setup will nearly pay for itself over a year.
http://www.microcenter.com/category/4294966896/Monitors

You can sort by price. Backlit LED monitors are brighter. Non backlit are as bright as the monitors you have now.

Last I checked, the DVI to ADC converters were still selling around $100 each on eBay.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

There is also the aspect of having tools that not only make you look more professional, but make you feel more professional. The tools count psychologically for a tremendous amount. For the client, they make you look "top of the line" and for the artist they should (IMO) give you a sense that you can command them to do whatever your mind can conjure.

As a pianist, I could have just an electric keyboard...



I could get an upright...



I prefer to get... no, I require a grand piano because, regardless of the cost, there is nothing that can replace the intrinsic value of a finely crafted instrument. The only limit is the imagination. And while I completely understand the desire to pickup a Mini for $600, if there is any way to save up, or do without something for a while, or sell off something else, my suggestion would be do what you can to get at least a 64 bit capable Mac Pro. Yeah, it's about three times as much, but again FM, I've heard your music and you really deserve the best crafted tools you can find. The machine should last many years, servicing the HDs and internals is a no-brainer, and they're fast enough.

Dude, you have gigs coming up, get some front money (it's possible) and make it clear you want it to make the product you'll deliver that much better. Make up a story about your sick lizard (and that's not code in this case) but get yerself a frekin' Mac Pro and forget the Mini.

You're a pro, not a hobbyist. you need a pro machine. You need a (all together now...)





Yeah, baby. Now we're talking!

[mikehalloran]

My wife walked in just as I was looking at this. She laughed harder than I did.

She is old school while I am an old folkie. Together, that gives us

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Don't get me to start posting pictures of my pianos...

[Gravity Jim]

You can get an early 2008 3,1 8-core MacPro just like the one I (and MLC) run, upgraded with lots of drives and RAM for around a grand to a grand-point-five. It wil run OSX 10.8 in a 64-bit kernel, accept your PCI cards, push your existing monitors and run DP8 like a major. It is pro machine, and I agree with MLC that there is no substitute for pro tools. (No, not THAT ProTools.)

[MIDI Life Crisis]

...there is no substitute for pro tools. (No, not THAT ProTools.)

I tried hard to avoid that word pairing... FM also has the added complication of getting his stuff across the border. You gotta figure a few more serious pesos to make that happen.

[kgdrum]

The market & availability for a used MacPro might be entirely different in Mexico.

[FutureLegends]

Wouldn't an iMac be a good choice then? You get a better mac than the mini and you get a great 27" monitor.

[FMiguelez]

Hmmmm....

Some VERY interesting replies! You really got me thinking...
Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

You are right about me not kidding myself with a MM... I need (and deserve) a Mac Pro.

The only downside is that I wouldn't be able to tax deduct it if I get it used, but even then it makes more sense for me. I'll contact some of the big studios around the city and see if anyone is selling a recent Mac Pro.

I'll let you guys what happens when it happens

I got from you just what I needed: A fresh perspective and words of encouragement. Thanks!

[FutureLegends]

If it's not possible to deduct tax if you buy a used Mac Pro, it could be worth holding out a bit longer to see if there's new Mac Pros coming. Might end up costing you about the same if it's tax deductable.
Apple isn't allowed to sell the current models of Mac Pros in Europe any longer due to some European Union regulation. So if a new model is coming, soonish would be a good time, not to loose too many European professionals to the Windows world...

But I still think the new 27" iMacs look pretty darn good too, especially if you need to get new monitors too.

[FutureLegends]

For what it's worth:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?newsid=3433428

[FMiguelez]

For what it's worth:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?newsid=3433428

That sounds very promising and exciting, FutureLegends!

Question for you and other European members:
What are you going to do regarding that new EU policy regarding Macs?

Are you guys turning into PC heads? Or are you going to have to import your new Macs?

[HCMarkus]

In the US, business expenses for used gear are, IMO, fully deductible. Gotta' get a receipt to prove up the expense, though. If the seller has fully depreciated the asset, the seller must count the revenue from the sale as income on his tax return.

[FutureLegends]

Question for you and other European members:
What are you going to do regarding that new EU policy regarding Macs?
Are you guys turning into PC heads? Or are you going to have to import your new Macs?

I just got a retina MacBook Pro, so no new Mac for me in quite some time
The EU regulation only concerns the Mac Pro, and I wasn't gonna get a Mac Pro until they release a new one anyway. As it is now, I think the top of the line iMac is a much better buy than the Mac Pro.

Btw, here in Sweden buying used gear is tax deductable as well.